Hillary Clinton gave a press conference this past Tuesday at the United Nations. The former First Lady and Secretary of State addressed several issues, including the recent letter of 47 U.S. Senators to the Iranian government as well as her own State Department email controversy.
It's important to reemphasize that the purpose of this website is as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication - not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.
It has been noted that Ms. Clinton often has trouble connecting with the electorate - and therein lies her highest hurdle on her road to a 2016 Presidential election victory. Anyone running for office often forgets (if they ever knew to begin with) that deciding for whom to vote is primarily an emotional process. Yet the vast majority of politicians (or sales professionals or leaders of any type, etc.) approach it as if it is a logical process. This is a profound mistake.
Whenever connecting with anyone emotionally - sincerity is an absolute prerequisite. Without it, people may hear what you say - but they won't believe you. When a person opens their eyes widely too often or out of context - among other things, it leaves us feeling a disparity between what is said vs. the speaker's true thought-feelings - thus INSINCERITY.
This excessive opening of the eyelids nearly always is accompanied by a similar over-use of the forehead muscles. These nonverbals are analogous to when most young children, when they first enter into the creative writing process, will often use multiple exclamation points at the end of a sentence when emphasis is desired. Hopefully, children will quickly learn that if there is a good choice of words, then of course, only one exclamation point is needed (if any). When we over-use nonverbal signals - or use them even slightly out of context - they have a completely different "feel" to those who see them.
When it comes to the over frequently or out of context use of more widely opened eyelids, or a similarly over-contracted forehead - these will most often project insincerity. Excessively opened eyes can also transmit patronizing or condescending emotions - but also that of anger/rage, fear or surprise (none of which will get you votes).
What additional non-psychological, non-political factor is also playing a partial role with Ms. Clinton's excessive eyelid opening?
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3126: Congressman Aaron Schock and allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars and campaign funds
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2564: Hillary Clinton Stumping for Terry McAuliffe ... but Did She Hint at Running in 2016?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1923: Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government - The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight - Body Language Tells
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2523: Hillary Clinton, Body Language and the 2016 Presidency - Rapport Builder vs. Rapport Destroyer
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2415: Yanira Maldonado released from Mexican Jail - What's Up with her Eyes? Atypical Body Language of White & Wide Eyes
3:54
4:05
5:50
6:12
_________________________________________________________________________________